North East Wales Veterans League – Steve Evans stars as Jonny Taylor’s Llay make winning start

Steve Evans (right) with brother Ricky of Lex XI FC

NORTH EAST WALES VETERANS LEAGUE 2023-24

CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

Llay Welfare Vets 4
Deeside Dragons Vets 1

Current CPD Y Rhyl 1879 player Jonny Taylor took his first venture into Vets football management today – and it was a winning experience.

Taylor is boss of the new Llay Welfare Vets side, which won their opening fixture against Deeside Dragons Vets 4-1 in front of a 100-plus crowd.

And what a treat there was for Llay fans, with former Wrexham and Wales defender and now Colwyn Bay manager Steve Evans in the home line-up.

Llay Welfare manager Jonny Taylor

Evans set the ball rolling with a fifth-minute assist enabling Mark Williams to open the scoring.

Andrew Adams equalised for Deeside on 18 minutes, but close to the break Steve Evans edged Welfare in front again.

In the 65th minute, Evans struck again for his second of the game and Hugh Jones soon made it 4-1.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix Vets 0
Denbigh Wanderers Vets 1

Just the one goal separated the sides, Gari Thomas netting in the 69th minute to settle the issue at Cae Sling.

PREMIER DIVISION

Rhydymwyn Vets 7
Connah’s Quay Nomads Vets 2

Karl Bacon notched a double as Rhydymwyn began their campaign with a 7-2 thrashing of Connah’s Quay.

Bacon opened the scoring on six minutes, then Danny Buchanan added a second and Stephen Hughes made it three before Gary McConnell put the hosts 4-0 up at half time.

Andy Booker converted two penalties in the second half and Bacon rounded off the home scoring with his second on 86 minutes from a Buchanan assist.

Leon Bowen netted both for Nomads. Leon reached his 100th goal after his second one of the day in 52 games. Yesterday was his first game after re-signing back from Hawarden